Canada Child Benefit for Grandparents in Alberta

You May Be Eligible If the Child Lives With You

The Canada Child Benefit is paid to the person who is primarily responsible for a child's care and upbringing. That person does not need to be a biological parent or have a court order.

You must also be a Canadian tax resident, and you or your spouse/common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months and has a valid permit in month 19, or a person registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act.

For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum CCB is $8,157 per year ($679.75/month) for each child under 6 and $6,883 per year ($573.58/month) for each child aged 6–17. The full amount is paid when your adjusted family net income is below $38,237. Above that, the benefit reduces gradually.

How to Transfer the CCB to Yourself

If the child's parent was previously receiving the CCB, you need to notify the CRA that care has shifted. Submit CRA Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application) through CRA My Account or by mail. The form asks for the child's details, your address, and your social insurance number.

When a parent cooperates and stops claiming the benefit voluntarily, the switch is straightforward — the CRA processes both the cancellation and your new claim.

When a Parent Won't Sign

This is the most common friction point. If the biological parent refuses to acknowledge the transfer or simply cannot be reached, you do not need their signature. The CRA accepts third-party evidence of primary care instead. Gather:

• A signed letter from the child's school (principal or guidance counselor) on letterhead confirming you are listed as guardian and emergency contact
• A note from the child's doctor or dentist showing your home address
• A letter from a social service agency, Band Council, or landlord confirming the child's residence

Submit these with your RC66. The CRA will assess your claim based on the evidence and can backdate payments up to 11 months from the date they receive your application, provided the documentation shows you had care for that period.

One Important Exception: Children in Government Care

If the child is in a formal kinship placement under a Temporary or Permanent Guardianship Order through Children and Family Services, the government claims the federal Children's Special Allowances for that child. CCB and CSA cannot be paid for the same child at the same time. You will not receive the CCB until the child exits government care — for example, when you obtain a Private Guardianship Order.

Once that happens, file your RC66 immediately. The sooner the CRA receives your application with supporting documents, the sooner payments begin (and the further back they can be backdated).

The CCB Plus the ACFB

Claiming the CCB also unlocks the Alberta Child and Family Benefit — a provincial credit paid quarterly that can add up to $1,529 per year for one child. No separate application is needed; the CRA pays it automatically based on your tax return.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the RC66 process, the evidence checklist, and how the CCB interacts with other Alberta kinship supports, see the Alberta kinship financial help guide.

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